Teams have until Friday at 7 p.m. CT to tender 2018 contracts to their salary arbitration eligible players. Of the nine Astros who fall into this category, only righthander Mike Fiers is a candidate to not be tendered a deal.

The other eight players combined should account for between $40 and $50 million in salary on the Astros' 2018 payroll. For three Astros - righthanders Lance McCullers Jr., Brad Peacock and Ken Giles - this will be their first trip through the arbitration process, which will ensure them their first career seven-figure salaries.

Lefthander Dallas Keuchel and centerfielder George Springer will command the highest salaries of the Astros' arbitration eligible players. Keuchel, who made $9.15 million last season, is projected by MLBTradeRumors.com to make $12.6 million. This is his last year of arbitration eligibility. The 2015 AL Cy Young Award Winner and two-time All-Star is in line to become a free agent after the 2018 season.

Springer, the 2017 World Series MVP, made $3.9 million last season and has set himself up for a hefty raise following his first All-Star campaign. MLBTradeRumors.com projects Springer to make $8.9 million in his second go-around through the arbitration process. He will be arbitration eligible again ahead of the 2019 and 2020 seasons before qualifying for free agency in the 2020-2021 offseason.

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Designated hitter/catcher Evan Gattis, righthander Collin McHugh and outfielder Jake Marisnick are the Astros' other arbitration eligible players. Gattis, who the Astros plan to use primarily as a DH next season, is eligible for a final time. He will qualify to become a free agent after the 2018 season.

As for Fiers, the Astros will surely attempt to trade him before Friday's tender deadline. MLBTradeRumors.com projects Fiers to make $5.7 million in his second time through arbitration. He made $3.45 million last season. If non-tendered he would become a free agent.

Fiers, 32, had a 5.22 ERA in 153 1/3 innings last season and wasn't included on the Astros' playoff roster in any of the three rounds. The reigning World Series champions are already poised to enter spring training with a surplus of starters if at full strength.

For the players who are tendered contracts, their 2018 salaries probably won't be determined until at least January, when teams and players typically exchange salary figures. Cases that aren't settled are heard usually in February by a three-person panel that chooses one side's proposed salary.